Karen Holcomb is a Bible study and curriculum writer with a passion for helping parents navigate the Bible and discover God’s wisdom for young families. In January 2019, Karen will be releasing her new character book series titled, Proverbial Kids: Lesson Plans for Parents. Her book series, based on the book of Proverbs, will help busy parents become confident disciple-makers in their homes.
We caught up with Karen to ask her a few questions about her new book series.
What led you to write this new curriculum?
While America’s love for fictional superheroes has escalated since Superman was introduced in the 1930s, one of the real S-men of the Bible has been largely overlooked. Gifted by God with unparalleled wisdom, King Solomon was an expert in forestry, animals and wildlife, civil engineering, and human behavior. He recorded a vast number of wise sayings, many of which were addressed to a son, beginning with Proverbs 1:8, to help him do good and avoid evil. This wisdom is available to you.
Why did you choose the book of Proverbs as the basis of your curriculum?
So broad is the scope of content in Proverbs, one would be hard-pressed to surface a basic life issue which this book does not address. Authority, relationships, boundaries, self-control, contentment — no matter the topic, there is “an app for that.” We couldn’t need this counsel any more than we do right now in America. Proverbs provides protective moral and spiritual principles which carry us from childhood into adulthood, boundaries which protect our children and infuse peace into our homes.
So broad is the scope of content in Proverbs, one would be hard-pressed to surface a basic life issue which this book does not address.
Give us a snapshot of the Proverbial Kids resource.
Sorting through the book of Proverbs, I identified seven repeated themes, ABCs, which provide a solid base for parenting our little ones. Appearing in Proverbial Kids: Lesson Plans for Parents available this month through Westbow Press, these seven principles are:
A — Accept Instruction (Proverbs 1:8-9)
B — Be Humble & Kind (Proverbs 27:2 and 19:17)
C — Control Your Curiosity & Your Tongue (Proverbs 5:15, 10:19)
D — Don’t be Lazy or Rude (Proverbs 10:4, 29:21)
E — Enjoy God’s Wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-8, 3:5-6)
F — Forfeit Fortune & Fame (Proverbs 17:1, 31:30)
G — Gain Honestly (Proverbs 11:1)
How can these resources be used best?
With simple activities, Bible stories, and object lessons pivoting around a key verse from Proverbs, these plans can be used in family devotions, home-schooling or children’s church/camp. A small-group outline is included, making for a great eight-week parenting class.
The character book stories like Captain Curious and the Invisible Boundary Line, Look-at-Me Lucy and the Rearview Mirror, Contentious Adeline and the Rooftop Escape, and Lazy Leo’s Totally Untapped Talent introduce children and parents to families like their own, leading them from foolish habits to wise ones.
How can we order the set?
For a set of character books and the new Proverbial Kids: Lesson Plans for Parents at a discounted price, email me directly at [email protected] or order separately from the Westbow Press online bookstore or Amazon. Also, please visit my website www.proverbialkids.com.
